A full range of paper products and gifts is highlighted at Princeton Paper Source

PERFECT PAPER PRODUCTS: “There’s really something about walking into a store and seeing the items first hand. Plus, the staff can answer any questions people may have and offer advice. That’s a lot more personal, and we enjoy talking with our customers and getting to know them.Chelsea Muro, Manager of Paper Source, is shown next to a display of many of the store’s popular products.

By Jean Straton

OWriting a note or a letter, sending an invitation or an important message via pen and paper is still the choice of many people today. Even in an age with a plethora of electronic communication devices, there is something special about this “vintage” style of connection.

Chelsea Muro can attest to this – as manager of Paper Source at 42 Witherspoon Street, she sees daily evidence of the continued popularity of paper products.

“Even in the digital age, people still want to write a note on paper. It really is more personal and meaningful than you have taken the time to do. We have a full range of styles and companies for the cards stationery, including Crane and Rifle Paper Co. The latter also offers jewellery, handbags and even wallpaper, all in great designs.We also have our own exclusive brand of cards, stationery and Paper Source invites.

Every paper product

And as she says, who wouldn’t appreciate receiving a keepsake on one of Paper Source’s beautifully designed cards or stationery?

Customers will find all paper products for all needs in this charming store. Office and school supplies, journals and notebooks, coloring books, stickers and sticker books, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, sidewalk chalk and all kinds of party, fabulous gift wrap, bags and ribbons are all on display.

Shoppers were also very pleased to find an assortment of white gift boxes of all sizes. This is especially useful as many stores no longer provide boxes for purchases.

In addition, a variety of gifts and novelties are available. Colorful and intriguing, they constantly attract customers.

“It’s like ‘eye candy’ here. All the paper products are wonderful and I love this new location,” says Princeton resident Rosemary Leone, who is a regular customer. She also shopped at the store’s old location on Nassau Street.

great place

“We moved to Witherspoon Street last September,” says Muro, “and we’re very happy here. We want to make sure everyone knows our new location because some people didn’t know we had moved.

“Witherspoon Street is in a great location. We are right in front of the library, and we have a lot of traffic. Customers really like the store here. It’s nice and bright, and we have people coming all the time. Some are people who didn’t realize we had moved on and are so happy to see that we are still here. A customer said she was so worried that we were able to close. We want everyone to know we’re here to stay!

“A lot of customers are people from Princeton, but we also get a lot of tourists. And the families, the parents of the students at Princeton University, all come. It’s a wide variety, including children.

Paper Source opened in Princeton in 2008 and is one of 120 Paper Source locations across the country. Based in Chicago, it was founded more than 25 years ago, reports Muro, who has been with the company since 2013. She also runs the Summit Paper Source store.

While its heavy focus on paper products is a big draw point, the store’s array of many different types of gifts and novelties is an added dimension, providing a unique shopping opportunity.

Categories include beauty and wellness, books and balloons, candles and diffusers, glasses, face masks, fashion and hair accessories – just to get started!

If you need a wine glass or a wine bag, a coffee mug or a cheese platter, they are available. Games and puzzles, fun themed kaleidoscopes (animals and sea creatures), popular Sugarfina candies in many intriguing designs – there’s always something else around the corner to catch your eye.

new profession

March is National Crafts Month and artisans will find exactly what they need at the store. Kids Baking Kits and Easter Sunglasses Kits are fun to start the process, and all design elements, such as embossing powder, decorative stars, rubber stamp blocks and more are handy for DIY enthusiasts.

As Paper Source’s mission statement states, “At Paper Source, our goal is to inspire creativity, whether you’re looking to take on a new craft, decorate for a party, or choose the perfect party invitation or gift. perfect.

“We are also preparing for Easter and Mother’s Day,” reports Muro. “We have a special section for Easter with stuffed bunnies, baskets, grass, stickers including flower egg stickers, and a book, The little bunny.”

The store’s book selection, with categories ranging from cookbooks to astronomy to “How to Write a Letter,” is set to expand, she adds. “I look forward to our new association with Barnes & Noble, which will take place in May. We will become a subsidiary, and then we will have even more books. It’s very exciting.

Eclectic selection

Muro is very optimistic about the future of Paper Source in Princeton and looks forward to sharing the store’s wonderfully eclectic selection with customers.

“We are so lucky in so many ways here. We have great staff ready to help customers, and many were with the store when we were on Nassau Street. We are very encouraged by the move. It’s fun to be in a new space – it’s like our own little adventure!

Some time ago, she points out, the adventure continued when the store was a stop on a birthday scavenger hunt. A gift with balloons was waiting for the birthday “star” and it was a fun event for everyone.

Prices at the store cover a wide range, from $2 and up, and there are select items on sale as well. Gift cards are available, as is the choice of gift packaging, including stunning designs from around the world, for a purchased product.

“I love being surrounded by all these colorful objects,” adds Muro. “There are always new things coming out, and it’s fun to see it all. There is always something exciting to look forward to, and I love sharing it all with all of our customers.

Paper Source is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (609) 921-0932. Website: papersource.com.